Computer

NORTHERN MICHIGAN - Michigan State Police troopers are alerting citizens of a recent Internet scam. According to reports, the scam states in an e-mail the user's computer is being locked by the FBI because it contains pornographic material and that the computer could only be unlocked by paying $300 through Pay Pal. This problem is listed as a scam on the FBI Web site, which also gives instructions on how to unlock the computer from the scam....

Just a couple of weeks into its third school year pioneering a new computer-based education program, the state is allowing Charlevoix's Northwest Academy to increase the enrollment in the program by one third. Northwest Academy officials recently received word from the state department of education that it may now offer up its "seat time waiver" program to an additional 25 students per year -- bringing the total allowed up to 75. Two years ago, Northwest was one of a handful of schools that chose to get in on the ground floor of the program which allows student to take their high school classes at home through online or computer based curricula that have been approved by the state.

A Petoskey man was sentenced Monday, Aug. 23, in 57th Circuit Court to serve five months on electronic monitor for two counts of using a computer to commit a crime. David Edmond Crowley IV, 43, was arrested Feb. 27 by the Michigan State Police after he was allegedly found to be in possession of child pornography on his work computer from May 2005 to July 2007. According to an affidavit in the Emmet County Clerk’s Office, this material was discovered on Crowley’s work computer in July 2007, when he approached Professional Services’ information technology department complaining that his computer would not boot up. An information technology professional examined Crowley’s computer, and allegedly found images and movies of “extremely young children” engaging in sexual activity.

GAYLORD ? Free, hands-on computer classes will be held at the Otsego County Library. Classes are 90 minutes in length and cover a variety of computer-related topics. Anyone may register for any or all of the classes, depending on what they wish to learn. Class sizes are limited, so register soon. Stop in the library at 700 S. Otsego Ave., call the library at 732-5841 or e-mail ocl@otsego.org . ? Basic computer skills classes will be held Sept. 22, 6-7:30 p.m., Sept.

A Harbor Springs man, who recently pleaded guilty to two felonies involving computers and child pornography, will be sentenced in 57th Circuit Court on Dec. 15. Jonny Lee Johnston, 39, who was originally charged with seven felonies and two misdemeanors after he was alleged this past summer to have assaulted, furnished alcohol to and engaged in sexually abusive activity with minors, recently pleaded to lesser charges. As part of a plea agreement offered to him by the Emmet County Prosecutor?

Technology has been advancing and making our lives easier since humans first walked the earth, and with the invention of the computer, we are seeing technology changing faster than ever. It's now influencing every aspect of our lives -- no matter where we go, we can't escape its impact. Business Andy Hayes, president of the Boyne City-based Northern Lakes Economic Alliance, noted that more and more businesses are putting the Internet and related technologies to use. "What it's enabling our companies here in Northern Michigan to do are two things," Hayes said.

Robert Konopka, 41, will face a two-day trial in August on charges he possessed child pornography on his computer. The Bear Creek Township resident was arrested earlier this year, after his wife, Ginni Lou Stead, alerted police to the suspect images on his desktop computer. According to an affidavit on file at the 57th Circuit Court, a forensic computer technician discovered 28 images depicting a naked underage female in provocative poses. Konopka is currently free on a $10,000 cash-surity bond.

CARP LAKE TWP. - About 26 percent of the 595 registered voters in Carp Lake Township headed to the polls Tuesday and elected a new township treasurer. Incumbent Wanetah Teike, who has served as township treasurer since 1970, received 43 percent of the votes while newcomer Catherine Freebairn received 56 percent of the votes. "That's fine," said Teike. "She'll do a good job I'm sure. She's young and she's competent on the computer. " The owner of Old Station Gifts in Carp Lake said she's looking forward to having more time to herself and her family.

Deputies with the Emmet County Sheriff's Office are investigating a break-in that happened at a Resort Township computer business over the weekend. Emmet County Sheriff Pete Wallin said workers at Hi-Tech, located at 2375 Charlevoix Ave., reported the break-in when arriving to work at about 8:20 a.m. Monday. Police said sometime between the close of business Friday and Monday morning, someone broke into the building and stole several computers and other computer-related items.

GAYLORD - The Otsego County Library is offering a new computer class series. Classes are free, one-time, 90-minute sessions geared toward beginning adult learners. “We've had a number of requests for more classes, but we still wanted to provide those basic computer literacy courses that we have always offered,” said Jackie Skinner, trainer and Public Services librarian. “Monday evenings we will introduce a new range of classes that highlight digital library services and other Internet tools, but on Friday mornings, we will continue our traditional roster.” Also, a new series of three lessons will show participants how to sell items online at Amazon.com.

NORTHERN MICHIGAN - Michigan State Police troopers are alerting citizens of a recent Internet scam. According to reports, the scam states in an e-mail the user's computer is being locked by the FBI because it contains pornographic material and that the computer could only be unlocked by paying $300 through Pay Pal. This problem is listed as a scam on the FBI Web site, which also gives instructions on how to unlock the computer from the scam....

The North Central Michigan College Board of Trustees unanimously gave the green light to staff to pursue planning for a $500,000 computer numeric control mobile lab. The lab, which would be contained in a semi-trailer truck, would contain computers and manufacturing prototypes allowing instructors to provide specialized training for employees of area manufacturing companies. The mobile unit would include state-of-the-art computers and design programs, as well as computer-controlled equipment.

GAYLORD - Free computer classes begin Monday, June 10, at the Otsego County Library, 700 S. Otsego Ave., with registration now under way. Seven separate classes are offered, both in the morning and evening, so that patrons can sign up for a time most convenient to them. The June 10 class, Basic Computer and Mouse Skills, covers basic computer skills and concepts, including identifying the parts of a computer, understanding basic computer terminology and navigating a window using a mouse and keyboard.

A few years back, I found myself standing in the Secretary of State Office on a Friday about 45 minutes before closing time. I was not the only one trying to fit in a quick stop there before the weekend, so I grabbed my little ticket and sat down. Back then, I was new to town and I was carrying out my wife's reminder to get my address changed on my driver's license. A credit to the people in that office, it wasn't long before my number was called. I stepped up to the front and informed the official that I had just moved to the area and needed to update my information so that my driving credentials were accurate.

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (AP) - A professor whose research focuses on Internet censorship and the use of children in advertising has been charged with having child pornography on his Central Michigan University computer, the school announced Thursday. The school said it suspended William L. Merrill on Monday and barred him from the campus in Mount Pleasant, about 120 miles northwest of Detroit. "We take this matter very seriously and have strict policies against this kind of conduct," Sherry Knight, a university interim associate vice president, said in a statement.

MY future in-laws bought their first computer about a month ago. I could see this was going to be a challenge from the start. There are a lot of things we take for granted after years and years of hammering away at keyboards. We take it as a given that the brand-spanking-new computer will actually work when we take it out of the box. My in-laws' first computer experience was a resounding dud. I volunteered to help them get set up. I unpacked their new laptop, plugged it in and ... huh, that's weird.

PETOSKEY - Many computers in the Petoskey school district's inventory have been rebuilt through the years to keep them functional, but school officials say it's becoming harder and harder to meet computing needs with these machines. Bringing more up-to-date computer workstations into local schools is one of the district's key technology priorities that would be funded with a bond sale proposed on the Tuesday, May 8, election ballot. “We've got to make sure that the labs are current technology for the benefit of the students,” said Steve Neal, Petoskey schools' technology director.

Friendship Centers of Emmet County, Council on Aging has scheduled a series of computer classes designed for senior citizens this spring. Two classes will take place in the computer labs of the Petoskey High School media center. A beginner computer course will meet 4:15-5:45 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, April 23 through May 9. An intermediate computer course will meet 6-7:30 p.m. on the same days. The beginner course is intended for seniors with little or no previous computer exposure, and will introduce participants to the most basic technology concepts.

A few weeks ago, while the kids were busy at the dining room table with homework and I was checking emails on the computer, I happened upon information which led to the grounding of my son (we will skip the details here). “No phone, computer or T.V. for one week,” I say. Soon after laying down the law, I check the fairness policy and indeed find my daughter is guilty of the same infraction. “Hand it over,” I say to her, eyeing the phone in her palm. “But I'm using the dictionary!